Long-Standing Cooperation Between Finnlines and Ahola Group Honoured

Yesterday, 3 September, the new ro-pax vessel Finnsirius, part of Finnlines EUR 500-million Green Investment Programme, was named at a festive ceremony in Naantali. Following the tradition at maritime namings, ship’s godmother Tiina Ahola broke a bottle of champagne against the bow, wishing the ship, its crew and passengers good fortune and fair winds.

Since over 75 years, Finnlines has been the major carrier of imports and exports in Finland, and thus also a pillar supporting the Finnish industry.

The choice of Tiina Ahola as Finnsirius’ godmother honours the long-standing cooperation between Finnlines and the Ahola Group, together upholding a large part of the Finnish trade.

Following the tradition of maritime namings, Tiina Ahola, representing the Ahola Group, had the honor of acting as the godmother in the ceremony.  Photograph courtesy of Ahola Transport

Finnlines Green Investment Programme comprises both ro-pax and ro-ro vessels. Three new hybrid ro-ro vessels started operating in summer 2022 and Finnsirius is the first of two Superstar ro-pax vessels that are the largest in the Finnlines fleet, with a cargo capacity of 5,200 lane metres and passenger capacity of 1,100. The second vessel, Finncanopus, is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023.

The two new Superstar vessels will operate on the Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route, connecting Finland to Sweden via Långnäs on the Åland Islands.

The Finnsirius sets off for its maiden voyage from Naantali via Långnäs to Kapellskär tomorrow, Friday, 15 September 2023.

Finnsirius, the first of the series of two freight-passenger (ro-pax) vessels, was delivered at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, on 18 July 2023. 

Source and